The journal seeks to ensure the independence, objectivity and transparency of the editorial and publishing process. Authors, reviewers and editors are therefore required to disclose all circumstances that may influence, or may reasonably be perceived as influencing, the conduct of the research, the interpretation of its results, the peer review of the manuscript or the editorial decision-making process.

This Policy is intended to prevent bias and maintain confidence in published materials.

Conflicts of Interest of Authors

When submitting a manuscript, authors must disclose all financial and non-financial conflicts of interest related to the research presented.

Financial conflicts of interest may include:

• employment by an organisation with an interest in the results of the research;
• receipt of honoraria, grants, consultancy fees or other financial support;
• ownership of shares or an equity interest in a company;
• involvement in commercial activities related to the subject of the article;
• ownership of patents or submission of patent applications;
• other financial or proprietary interests that may be affected by the outcome of the publication.

Non-financial conflicts of interest may include:

• personal or family relationships;
• professional or academic rivalry;
• supervisory, subordinate or academic mentoring relationships;
• membership of organisations with an interest in the results of the research;
• beliefs or other circumstances capable of affecting the author’s objectivity.

Authors must disclose not only actual conflicts of interest but also potential conflicts that readers could reasonably perceive as influencing the content of the work.

Information concerning conflicts of interest is published at the end of the article in a separate section entitled “Conflict of Interest”. Where no conflict of interest exists, the following statement must be included:

“The authors declare no conflict of interest.”

Conflicts of Interest of Reviewers

Reviewers must inform the Editorial Board of any circumstances that may prevent an objective and impartial assessment of the manuscript.

A reviewer must notify the Editorial Board and decline to review the manuscript if they:

• have financial, personal or professional relationships with the author or an organisation connected with the research;
• are employed by the same institution as the author;
• have recently co-authored publications with the author or are involved with the author in a joint research project;
• are the author’s academic supervisor, consultant, subordinate or direct competitor;
• have a personal interest in the manuscript or have a close friendship or conflictual relationship with the author;
• conduct research that directly competes with the results presented in the manuscript;
• are affected by any other circumstances that may raise doubts concerning the objectivity of the review.

Where a conflict of interest is identified after the review process has begun, the reviewer must immediately cease considering the manuscript and notify the Editorial Board.

Familiarity with the author or working within the same academic field does not in itself always constitute a conflict of interest. The Editorial Board determines whether the reviewer may continue the review, taking account of the nature and extent of the relevant relationship.

Conflicts of Interest of Editors

Editors and members of the Editorial Board must disclose potential conflicts of interest that may affect editorial decision-making.

An editor must not participate in the consideration of a manuscript if they:

• are its author or co-author;
• work at the same institution or within the same department as the author;
• have joint publications, current projects or an academic supervisory relationship with the author;
• have personal, family, financial or professional relationships with the author;
• have a direct academic or commercial interest in the results of the research;
• may reasonably be perceived as biased as a result of their involvement.

In such cases, the manuscript is assigned to another editor who has no conflict of interest. Where necessary, an independent specialist is invited to participate in its consideration.

Editors must not have access to the selection of reviewers, the content of reviews or discussions concerning decisions on manuscripts in relation to which they have a conflict of interest.

Disclosure of Information

The journal ensures the transparent disclosure of conflicts of interest in published articles. Personal or confidential information is published only to the extent necessary to understand the nature of the possible influence on the research.

Failure to disclose a substantial conflict of interest may affect the editorial decision. Where such a conflict is identified after publication, the Editorial Board may publish an appropriate correction or another editorial notice.

All authors, reviewers and editors must comply with this Policy and disclose in a timely manner any circumstances that may call into question the independence and objectivity of the publication process.